As a kid, junior church was the place to be. It was a separate kids’ service, less boring than the main worship service, where we could learn the Bible on our own level. It was at junior church that I first learned of God, and of Jesus, and of all those stories in the Old Testament that are the foundation of our faith.
Once during service, we played a game where I was the victor. I don’t recall the game at all. But I do recall that I had a variety of prizes to choose from, and one of them was a Bible. I’d never owned a Bible, and our teacher seemed surprised that I’d selected it. But I liked books, and I liked God, so it only made sense that I have His book. I still have that Bible. I’d like to say it’s falling apart from my constant reading, but it’s not. The Good Book was too confusing at the time.
I’ve acquired other Bibles over the years—A gift from my parents after college. A study Bible with extensive footnotes. A pocket-sized version with a magnifying glass. A faux leatherbound of an easier-to-read translation. More recently, a study Bible in a different translation. A Catholic Bible with the deuterocanonical books.
I have a lot of Bibles. I like books, and I like God.
At RCIA last night, our teacher gifted us each with a Bible.
It was like I’d never received a book before. I handled it gently, studying the characters stamped on the cover and opening it slowly as the spine creaked in my hands. I’d almost forgotten about receiving my first Bible in junior church until that moment—the childlike wonder of handling the inspired Word of God. And there I was, twenty years later, receiving a Bible from my teacher. Again. Learning of God’s wonder in print. Again.
My life is defined by books. It’s my livelihood. It’s my hobby. More than that, it’s my connection to God. When I first entered the faith, I was rewarded with a copy of His book. So it’s only fitting that I continue to receive Him in the same way on this journey. It’s a seemingly small sign, but one that means volumes to someone who highly values the printed word. (Or Word, as the case may be.)
